Apparatus for reclaiming ore and the like from storage piles



APPARATUS FOR RECLAINING ORE AND THE LIKE FROM STORAGE FILES Sept. 5, 1939. M. J. ANDRADA No'wwzis Jfircdnadcp P 1939. M. J. ANDRADA 2,171,523

APPARATUS FOR REGLAI-IING ORE AND THE LIKE FRO! STORAGE FILES Filed Oct. 8, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 5, 1939. M. J. ANDRADA APPARATUS FOR RECLAIII'NG ORE AND THE LIKE FROM STORAGE FILES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 8, 1938 4, 1 3 .D.:Q u 1 Patented- Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR RECLAHEING ORE AND THE LIKE FROM STORAGE PILES Morris J. Andrada, Brooklyn, N. Y., asaignor to Robins Conveying Belt Company, Passaic,

N. J., a corporation 01 New Jersey Application October 8,

6 Claims.

l 'his invention relates to apparatus for reclaiming granular material from storage piles,

having reference more especially to the reclaim-- pile. Such ,conveyer, in turn, carried the im-,

posed load to conveyors for transporting the material to the furnace or smelter plant. The mechanism for thus reclaiming the material was mounted and arranged to travel longitudinally of and from end to end of any predetermined stock pile. Such mechanism embodied an associated harrow and an endless plow conveyer, the former having capacity for up and. down movement in relation to the opposing transverse gag face of the pile and being effective to cut a complete cross-section from the pile and deliver the separated material to the plow conveyer, and the latter, in turn, delivering such material to the transfer conveyer. The travel go of the active run of the plow conveyer was in one direction only, namely, toward the adjacent transfer conveyer, and the plows were curved or hook-shaped on. one side to accord with such direction of travel, thus necessitating for each 35 individual stock pile a separate transfer conveyer and operating mechanism therefor.

According to my invention the use of a separate transfer conveyer for each individual stock pile is avoided, but instead only one half of the g number of transfer conveyers for the total num her of piles is required, thus materially reducing the initial and operating costs or the system.

To this end my invention provides a reclaiming mechanism which is operative to transfer 5 the separated material from either of two adjacent piles to a single transfer element, or trench conveyer, located therebetween, which mechanism comprises novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be herein- 5 after described and claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a diagram of a storage floor equipped with a form of reclaiming apparatus embodying my invention.

55 Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through 1938, Serial No. 233,961

the floor and appurtenances, as on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the reclaiming apparatus in front elevation.

Fig. 3 is a similar section through one of the storage areas, as on the line H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a partial plan of the reclaiming apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a section taken at right angles to Fig. 2 through one of the storage areas, as on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 6 and 7 are a plan and a side elevation, respectively, of a portion of the endless plow conveyer.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section through the plow conveyer, as on the line l-t of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of one of the plows, the section being taken through one of the lateral plow points, as on the line 9 of Fig. 8, the tapering and flared portion of which point is indicated by broken lines.

Fig. 10 is a bottom view of a portion of a plow blade, whereof the points are indicated by brolien lines. 4

Fig. ll is a side elevation of one of the plow points, looking at the inner or locking face of the point.

Referring to the drawings, 95 designates an elongated storage floor of generally rectangular formation upon and throughout which laminated stock piles P are bedded in spaced parallel relation or substantially so. The material is subsequently reclaimed from each of the piles as need may require. The piles are arranged in succeeding pairs, as seen in Fig. l, and in the floor space between the pilesiof each pair is a transverse trench it within and longitudinally of which is mounted load transfer means comprising preferably an endless conveyor belt ll. This belt passes about pulleys I8 supported on shafts it at the respective sides of the storage floor. One of the pulleys IQ overhangs suitable oil-bearing means also comprising preferably a belt conveyor 20 which extends longitudinally" cf the adjacent side of the floor and leads to a determined location, the upper or receiving end of the conveyer l1 being driven toward the conveyer 29 in any suitable manner. Hence material removed from either pile of a pair and deposited upon the intervening conveyer i! will be delivered thereby to the conveyer 28 for transportatlon to a furnace or smelter plant, for example- Each of the trenches II for the transfer conveyer H is provided with a longitudinal supporting structure 3| for rails 22 towhich are adapted the wheels of a truck -23 carrying a hopper 24 which overhangs the. upper run of such conveyer and is located to direct thereto the material discharged from the plow conveyer.

' The storage area for each stock pile is flanked by a pair of rails'25 which extend from the front to, or nearly to, the rear of the floor. Arranged along and parallel with the front of the floor is a sunken trackway 26 upon which is mounted a wheeled truck 21- that may be pushed along such trackway to a position in front of the adjacent .end of any stock pile, as desired. The top of the floor 28 of the truck is flush with the storage floor, or substantially so, and is equipped with a pair of transverse rails 29 adapted to aline with and constitute, in effect, a continuation of the rails which flank the selected pile in front of which the truck may be positioned.

The rails 29 are adapted to receive and support the wheels 30 of a reclaimer car C embodying a body 3| having suitably-arranged axles 32 for the wheels 30, and hence when the transfer truck is positioned with its rails 23 in alinement with the rails 25 of any selected pile, the reclaimer car can be moved rearwardly upon and along the latter rails and can thereafter be retracted and positioned on the rails of the transfer truck preparatory to the setting of the latter adjacent any of the other piles on the storage floor, as indicated 0 by dotted lines at the right of Figs. 1 and 2.

The mechanism illustrated for actuating the reclaimer car is as follows; pair of rearward wheels 30 are provided with worm wheels 33 with which mesh worms 34 fast on crossshafts 35 having suitably located bearings that are aflixed to the car structure. Each of v the shafts 35 is connected by co-acting bevel gearing 36 with the respective ends of a suitably 10- cated shaft 31 which extends longitudinally of the structure. Mounted on the car are two independently operable electric motors 38 and 39, respectively, which are connected by means of suitable gearing 40 and 4| with the shaft 31.. The motor 38, which is equipped with a variable speed unit 42, is operable to rotate the shaft 31 in one direction to effect through the described transmission gearing the rearward travel of the car C toward the opposing pile, and the motor 39 is operable to impel the car at a relatively high speed in either direction.

Mounted on the rearward side of the reclaimer car and extending longitudinally thereof, is an endless chain conveyer 43 which passes about sprocket wheels 44 arranged on shafts 45 at the respective ends of the car. The shaft 45 at one end of the car has an extension 46 which is con nected by suitable gearing 41 with the shaft '48 of a reversible electric motor 49 which is sup- P rted on the floor of the car. Hence by proper operation of the motor 49 the chain conveyer 43 can be driven in either direction longitudinally of the car structure. The chain is equipped throughout its length with a continuous series of 1 of the member 5| have bolted thereto at its ends.

The axles of each,

angle pieces 54 having guide lugs 55 which are arranged to travel in longitudinal guide-ways formed by parallel bars 56 fixed on the rearward side of the car body. The bars terminate adjacent therespective sprocket wheels 44, and serve to guide and limit the T-member in its pivotal movement in relation to the chain during the flexure of the chain as it rounds the sprocket wheels at the ends of the car.

The outwardly extending member 51 of the T-element constitutes a plow blade having its lower portion extended forwardly and rearwardly beyond the respective sides of the chain, as at 58 and J9, respectively. The lower and forward edges of the blade are laterally expanded, as at B0 and SI, respectively, thence curved inwardly to the respective sides of the blade to present a smooth deflecting surface for the material which is subjected to the action of the blade in its travel adjacent the storage floor.

The lower outward portion of the rearward extenson 59 of each of the blades is laterall ireduced to provide a substantially triangular supporting web 62, to the respective sides of which are detachably bolted oppositely acting plow points 63, which are laterally interlocked with the opposing faces of the web by suitably arranged mating projectings 64 and sockets 65. In the present instance the plow point is provided with two projections and one socket, and each face of the web is provided with two sockets and one pro jection, the projections and sockets of the respective members being arranged in interlocking relation, and having suitable holes for the passage of the connecting bolts.

The plow points have nose portions 66 which extend somewhat beyond the plane of the outer longitudinal edge of the adjacent blade. These noses flare laterally, as at 61, thence gradually tapering to the respective faces of the body of the point, which faces merge with the outer faces of the blade. Thus during the travel of the lower run of the chain belt to the adjacent trench conveyer I! the acting plow point effectively attacks the material opposed thereto and forces it progressively toward and against the leadmg face of the blade for advancement thereby to such conveyer in a smooth and easy manner, and this irrespective of the direction of travel of the plow conveyer as required by the location in respect to the trench conveyer of the particular stored pile which is being reclaimed. The construction and contour of each of the plow points is clearly seen in Figs. 6 to 11,'inclusive.

It has been found by experience that a plow having a hook-shaped point as heretofore constructed has a tendency to fill the compartment between the adjacent blades too early in its travel across the face of the pile; whereas a two-way plow of the construction herein described, fills more gradually the compartment between adjacent plows, irrespective of their direction of movement, thus insuring a better specimem of the average assay in each compartment on the plow conveyer and resulting in the delivery to the transfer conveyer of a stream of material of more uniform analysis than heretofore.

The reclaimer car C is equipped with an upstanding-swinging harrow structure 68 which is pivoted at its lower end, as at 69, to the body of the car. The upper end of the harrow is connected by a cable 10 with an electric hoist H which is mounted on a truss structure 12 erected on the car. By properly operating the hoist the harrow can be positioned upon and in proper relaupon gravitates to the storage floor and into the active path of the lower run of travelling doublefaced plows irrespective of the direction of travel of the plows, as and for the purpose previously described.

I claim- 1. An apparatus for reclaiming ore or other granular material stored on a floor having a plurality of spaced storage areas arranged in pairs and having also transfer means in the space between the areas of each pair, said apparatus comprising a travelling structure movable adjacent and longitudinally of said floor and also movable thereover to traverse any selected storage area in front of which the structure may be positioned, means on said structure constructed and arranged to act upon and disturb the opposing material in any selected area during the rearward traverse of the structure upon said area, thus progressively separating such material and causing it to gravitate to the said area, an endless conveyer mounted and arranged on said structure for independent movement transversely of such selected area, spaced double-face plows carried by said conveyer so as to progress across said area, and means supported by said structure for actuating said conveyer to move the plows on the lower run thereof in one direction while they are acting upon the material of one area, and in the opposite direction when they are acting upon the material of the adjacent area, whereby such material in either case is.

deliver d to the transfer means between and common to the two adjacent areas.

2. In an apparatus of the type described comprising a travelling structure having thereon an endless conveyer, a succession of spaced plows carried by said conveyer, and means for driving said conveyer to move its active run in either direction, as desired, each of said plows comprising a transverse blade member having at one end lateral members constituting plow points having oppositely-disposed acting faces which mer e with. the respective faces of? he blade ing said conveyer to move its active run in either direction, as desired, each of said plows comprising a transverse blade member having at one end lateral members constituting plow points having oppositely-disposed acting faces which merge with the respective faces of the blade member and also having laterally flared nose portions which project outwardly beyond the plane of the longitudinal edge of said blade member.

4. In an apparatus of the type described comprising a travelling structure having thereon an endless conveyer, a succession of spaced plows carried by said conveyer, and means for independently driving said conveyer to move its active run in either direction, as desired, each of said plows comprising a transverse blade member having a reduced corner portion constituting a web, and lateral members constituting plow points embracing said web and secured thereto, said plow points having oppositely-disposed acting faces which merge with the respective faces of the blade member.

5. In an apparatus of the type described comprising a travelling structure having thereon an endless conveyer, a succession of spaced plows carried by said conveyer, and means for independently driving said conveyer to move its active run in either direction, as desired, each of said plows comprising a transverse blade member having a reduced corner portion constituting a web, and lateral members constituting plow points embracing said web and secured thereto, said plow points having oppositely-disposed acting faces which merge with the respective faces of the web and the contiguous surfaces of said web and the respective plow points having interlocking sockets and projections.

6. In an apparatus of the type described comprising a travelling structure having thereon an endless conveyer, a succession of spaced plows carried by said conveyer, and means for independently driving said conveyer to move its active run in either direction, as desired, each of said plows comprising a transverse blade memher having a reduced corner portion constituting a web, and lateral members constituting plow points embracing said web and secured thereto, said plow points having oppositely-disposed acting faces which merge with the respective faces of the web and having laterally flaring nose por tions projecting outwardly beyond the plane of the longitudinal edge of the biacle member, the contiguous surfaces of said 1d the respec tive plow wints having int Wig sockets projections, 

